3-Toned Kitchen Designs

While everyone has been obsessed with white kitchens for the past few years, we have been seeing more and more colors creeping into this heavily used space, particularly on the cabinets themselves. One of the latest kitchen design trends is the 3-toned color scheme that can be accomplished in several different ways. This kitchen design trend, which has naturally evolved out of homeowners’ love of white kitchens, is the perfect solution that helps keep white kitchens from getting too ho-hum. Keep reading to learn helpful design tips from our color consultants on how to make a 3-toned kitchen work.

Keep Vertical Elevations Neutral

For kitchen paint ideas, it is best to opt for a neutral paint color. The most successful 3-toned kitchens keep a majority of the vertical elevations neutral, be it with a neutral paint color such as white or with natural wood tones. And of course the wood cabinets are often the more contemporary element in the room, being flat paneled and in a linear-grained species, such as walnut.

Let White Paint Serve as a Blank Slate

If you are a homeowner looking to update your existing cabinetry, white cabinets can remain your go-to — after all, a white kitchen is timeless and will never go out of style. Plus, white cabinets provide you with a blank slate, which means you can easily incorporate a bold color or two into the mix. A few areas in your kitchen that you can add a pop of color include: lower cabinets, island cabinetry, range hood, appliances, backsplash and/or stools.

Interior design right now is about making a space uniquely yours, having fun with the design of a 3-toned kitchen and keeping surfaces lower maintenance.

Kitchens can incorporate all three tones into the cabinetry, itself—blue, white and natural wood are common colors.

Another great way to incorporate 3 tones is having white perimeter cabinetry with a strong color statement on the island and backsplash.

And yet another inspiring way to showcase 3 tones in the kitchen: All-white cabinetry with a black hood and saddle-colored counter stools.

Embrace Bold Lower Cabinets

Painting your lower kitchen cabinets a bold color is another easy and tasteful way to transform your space into a trendy 3-toned kitchen. To make this cabinet painting trend work, it’s best if the upper cabinet areas (if there are any) remain white and “disappear” into the surrounding walls. This is a common tactic used for 2-toned kitchens as well. And, by simply adding in wood shelving or a tall wood wall-unit, your kitchen can be easily transformed into a 3-toned gem.

Also, two-toned cabinets (navy and white) work with bold yellow stools.

A popular 2020 kitchen trend, bright blue lower cabinets with white tiled walls and wood shelving.

A fun way to spruce up your kitchen is to paint the island cabinet yellow while painting the perimeter cabinets white and installing a colorful patterned tile backsplash.

Interior design continually evolves to reflect current lifestyles and has therefore become less formal and rigid.  Hence, there are no strict rules for the 3-toned kitchen.  If you love pattern, toss it in!  Tiles today come in amazing bold colors and fabulous graphic patterns.  Have fun with the color of your island—go bold!  Keeping the bulk of the cabinetry neutral and only using a bold color on the island is a smaller commitment and can completely transform the hub of your home.

However you decide to tackle updating your kitchen space, ensure that you follow your heart and allow a bit of your spirit into the project.  If an all-white kitchen is where your heart lies, stick with it.  And down the road if your tastes change, you can always add a colorful element into the mix with great success.

If you need help achieving this latest kitchen trend, schedule a color consultation today. Our experts are here to help you choose the best colors for your 3-toned kitchen that will fit your aesthetics, lifestyles needs and kitchen design. Contact us today!